The way the BBC has treated David Lowe, a Radio Devon presenter, reflects
changes in radio services

When BBC local radio began in the late Sixties, local contributors from the community, such as David Lowe, were the backbone of the station’s schedules. Programmes reflecting local music, the arts and leisure activities were presented by people who also had day jobs. Sadly, many of these people have been squeezed out of the schedules, often replaced by people muttering inane comments and pressing buttons to play music from the BBC computer system. There is a drift away from the localism that once underpinned BBC regional radio.

At a time when commercial radio has been reducing its regional focus, surely it’s time the BBC spent more on providing that very element that listeners want from local radio. The BBC should find local talent, use it and nurture it. And then treat it better than they have treated Mr Lowe.

Roy CorlettManager, BBC Radio Devon 1982-93 Southport, Lancashire

SIR – I thought that every radio show has a producer, whose job it is to come up with a running order. This means checking out every feature on the programme, including all music to be played. After all, you don’t want to play the amusing, if inappropriate, version of Living Next Door To Alice.

SIR – David Lowe is a much-loved DJ who has given many years’ service to BBC Radio Devon, and commands a loyal audience.

His faux pas was playing one recording which contained the “n-word”. For this he attracted one complaint – set this against the furore caused by Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand and Jeremy Clarkson – and has been summarily discarded. Where is the BBC’s equal rights policy on this one?

Susie Coke-WoodsTaunton, Somerset

Testing times

SIR – Anne Longfield, the chief executive of 4Children, advocates assessing children at 11 years of age to determine if they need extra help.

This is too late to rectify poor attainment and it must be daunting, at least, for a child to be advanced to a large comprehensive if they cannot read properly, and are not sufficiently numerate. There should be tests in primary schools at nine years of age. This then leaves two years for the teachers, parents and pupil to work hard to get the child to the required standard, with the proviso that if that standard is not reached, the pupil does not progress to secondary level until it is achieved.

Teachers, parents and pupils would then have a real incentive to get the child to the correct standard.

Jennie Naylor London SW20

The perfect cuppa

SIR – An American company is marketing a machine, with an £8,000 price tag, that is said to brew the perfect cup of tea.

But in America it is impossible to find a decent cup of tea. From diners to five-star hotels, when ordering a cup of tea you are presented with a cup of hot water with an unopened tea bag on the saucer.

Any attempt to explain to the server that in order to brew properly, the tea bag needs to be steeped in boiling water is met with a look of bemusement.

William Vahey, an American teacher exposed as a serial child molester, was abusing children until last year, and the recent suicide of Frances Andrade, who killed herself after giving evidence against a former music teacher, exemplifies the deep pain felt by victims in perpetuity. Just this week, I received a letter from the father of a recent abuse victim describing the hurt still felt as a result of the actions of the jailed paedophile Paul Woodward.

In too many cases, schools have been aware of suspicions and hesitated to act appropriately, with abusers occasionally being allowed to move schools without sanction. What is shameful is the obfuscation within the sector and government over new legislation requiring the mandatory reporting of child abuse suspicions – a loophole that only favours those who prey on our children.

SIR – As long-term advocates for change on critical issues surrounding disadvantaged children, we recently became aware of the poet Philip Wells, who is undertaking an epic 1,000-mile walk barefoot across Britain. His endeavour will raise awareness and funds for the billion barefoot children of the world living in chronic poverty, and the voiceless street children whose desperate needs are often overlooked.

Mr Wells’s “barefoot billion” campaign has already gone global, with more than 300 schools involved in over 50 countries.

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Chair, All Party Group on Street Children

Sally RussellCo-founder, Netmums

Marcus Lyon Ambassador, Consortium for Street Children

Short-lived

SIR – Short men live longer? Maybe, but I am 83 and once stood 6ft 6in. Now, if I stretch out, I might be 6ft 4in. Perhaps we should conclude instead that old men grow shorter.

Maxwell MacfarlaneSouthborough, Kent

Scottish, English, British – or all of the above?

SIR – Andrew H N Gray is uncertain as to his nationality and that of his brother. I think he is English by place of birth, but Scottish through his parentage, so has dual nationality. His brother is Scottish both by birthplace and parentage.

Residence in a country, for however long, does not change one’s nationality – unless of course one is a South African by birth who longs to play cricket for England.

However, in the context of the forthcoming referendum, both Mr Gray and his brother are clearly British, and I would hope they wish to remain so.

Martin Johnson Pathhead, Midlothian

SIR – I have spent the past 25 years living in England and the previous 25 years in Scotland. I arrived in Scotland aged two, having been born in Malta to a Scottish father serving in the Royal Navy, and an English mother.

I always thought I was Scottish but I fear I no longer qualify according to the criteria laid down by Alex Salmond.

My sister, who has lived in Spain for the past 25 years, had the foresight to be born in Scotland, and therefore not only can she call herself Scottish, but her children will receive free university education in Scotland, unlike their cousins living in England.

Fiona Merchant Thames Ditton, Surrey

SIR – I must agree with Mr Gray that he is Scottish. Since his parents are Scottish it follows that he must be Scottish, even if he was born in England. If a cat had kittens in an oven would you call them biscuits?